Using a hybrid system directly related to the 918, Porsche’s green luxury sedan delivers a total of 462 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque from a 100-kW electric motor backing a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 gas engine. The V6 is responsible for 330 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while the electric motor contributes 136 hp and 295 lb-ft; the result is sprints from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. U.S. fuel-economy ratings aren’t in yet, but the Panamera E-Hybrid gets the equivalent of 96 mpg on the Euro cycle when its EV capabilities are factored in.

The “E-Hybrid” moniker curiously masks the fact this is a plug-in hybrid: 31 miles of pure electric range, at up to 86 mph, can be drawn from its 14 kWh liquid-cooled battery when fully charged. It’s unlikely buyers would choose to do so, but a standard wall outlet can charge the Panamera in 12 hours. A dedicated charging station will fill the battery in just three hours.

As with other plug-in hybrids, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will offer several driving modes: E-Power is the default start mode and runs the car in pure electric while juice is available; E-Hold will use the gas engine to reserve electric power; E-Charge uses the V6 to drive the car and charge the battery at the same time; and Hybrid Auto just lets the car decide how to make the most out of its powertrains. Finally, when you really do want to get to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, Sport and Sport Plus modes max out everything for top performance.

First, let’s address the styling, a point of controversy on the last-gen Panamera. There’s still something vaguely awkward about the new car’s length, but this is probably about as pretty as you’re going to make a sedan that evokes the 911. Let’s settle on “elegant,” or maybe “sophisticated.” Either way, the Panamera’s looks no longer require justification when someone asks about the car.

More problematic is the “hybrid” moniker, which does this car a disservice. It sounds boring, like an unfortunate bastard child Porsche had to build to satisfy CAFE requirements. The Panamera E-Hybrid is efficient, but it’s nothing like a traditional hybrid, compromised for gas mileage. It's two complete cars in one: an electric sports sedan with decent range AND a gas-powered luxury sedan with fundamentally unlimited range -- and both are legitimate Porsches.

Yes, the Acid Green accents are standard.

Part of the fun comes from the way power is delivered, electric or mixed, through the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission -- the car shifts when accelerating even in pure electric drive mode. You’d think that would take away from some of the turbinelike fun of an EV, but instead it blends instant electric torque and split-second DCT shifts into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Yes, the gas engine is fun too -- the Panamera’s new V6 delivers a 330-hp wallop along with an aggressive soundtrack. Funny thing, though -– after the quiet (and instant) torque of the Panamera’s EV mode, the sound of the engine is jarring. On the other hand, it’s also a comforting reminder your Panamera’s range is limited only by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The Panamera's rear-seat accommodations are legitimately luxurious, not just an afterthought.

Interior comfort has never been a Panamera shortcoming –- it’s always been a driver’s car and a luxury sedan, both, and the latest car refines that successful design. There’s ample headroom front and rear, plus decent luggage space even with the E-Hybrid’s underfloor battery pack. The dash layout has been redesigned to better customize information, but it’ll be familiar to any Porsche enthusiast. Touch switches clean up the formerly button-happy center console –- there’s still a lot going on between that and the infotainment system, though, so expect to spend some time studying to make the most of your new computer, er, car purchase.

The takeaway

The 2018 Panamera has reached the stage in its evolution where you have to ask, “why wouldn’t you get the hybrid?” The electric assist arrives so smoothly and is enough fun by itself it’d be missed on a regular Panamera even if a more powerful gas engine (like that on, say, the Panamera Turbo) made up the difference.

Then there’s the price: There’s no Porsche we’ll call a bargain, but with a starting MSRP right at $100K (about the same as the Panamera 4S), the E-Hybrid offers a ton of tech for the money in a newly attractive wrapper. For the enthusiast driver, it’s the best luxury sedan deal on the market today.

Andrew Stoy
- Digital editor Andrew Stoy has spent the past 20 years wrenching on and writing about cars. He's worked everywhere from dealer service bays to the headquarters of the world's largest automakers.
See more by this author»